CALCUTTA, India -- The archbishop of Calcutta launched an inquiry Monday to gather evidence of the holiness of Mother Teresa, the first step in the process that could lead to her being declared a saint.
Thousands of nuns flocked to St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church to witness the opening of the inquiry "on the life, virtues and reputation of sanctity" of Mother Teresa.Archbishop Henry D'Souza said the inquiry could take about a year. "The church must be sure that someone who is to be declared a saint is truly such," he said.
Mother Teresa, hailed during her decades in the slums of India as a "living saint," died in 1997 at age 87 after a life spent caring for the poor and the outcast, inspiring followers worldwide to take up her example.
Pope John Paul II waived the customary five-year waiting period to start the process leading to her possible declaration as a saint.
Gathering proof within dioceses about Mother Teresa is a first step toward beatification, which requires confirmation of a miracle. Sainthood requires certification of another miracle.
The Rev. Brian Kolodiejchuk, a Canadian priest who will prepare the case for beatification, said several miracles have been attributed to Mother Teresa.
At Monday's ceremony, the inquiry team was sworn in and made to take a vow of secrecy.